ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 14 -- The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), representing approximately 23,000 independent community pharmacies across America, is raising awareness about pharmacy crime and offering tangible solutions during its Protect Your Pharmacy Week (April 14 - 18). At the forefront of the campaign is a partnership between NCPA, FBI LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association), and RxPatrol from Purdue Pharma L.P., with support from the Community Pharmacy Foundation. They encourage pharmacists in all practice settings to take steps to protect staff and patients from pharmacy crime, including prescription drug theft. Bruce Roberts, RPh, executive vice president and CEO of NCPA, issued the following statement:
"With a renewed national spotlight on prescription drug abuse, it is important to note the related issue of crime against pharmacies. The National Community Pharmacists Association is launching a campaign this week (April 14-18), designated as 'Protect Your Pharmacy Week', to increase awareness for pharmacies to take precautions against robberies and burglaries. Through our efforts we hope to better prepare pharmacists with the tools and information they need to protect their pharmacies and their patients.
"There should never be a concern about pharmacy safety for pharmacists or their patients, so we want to be sure that pharmacists are given resources to have the security and safeguards in place needed to protect their businesses."
